Bangladeshi Wedding Traditions Unveiled

Bangladeshi weddings are a colourful, cultural extravaganza, packed with partying, and lasting several days. They are a sacred union of two families, not just two people, and the family's involvement is profound.

The process usually begins with a matchmaker, or ghotok, who facilitates the introduction of the couple. The pre-engagement ritual, Adan Pradan, involves a priest checking the ancestral lines of the couple to ensure they are not from the same lineage. The engagement, or aashirwad, is then confirmed.

Pre-wedding rituals, known as vridhi, take place the day before the wedding. The wedding ceremony itself is held at a mandap, and is followed by post-wedding rituals, including a feast and festivities.

The wedding ceremony is usually followed by the groom placing vermilion on the bride's forehead, and the couple worshipping the Sun God. The newlyweds then depart for the groom's house, where the bride is welcomed with prayers, and her feet are dipped in a plate of lac dye and milk.

The next day, the bride cooks her first meal at her in-laws' house, and a reception is held in the evening.

The pre-engagement ritual, Adan Pradan, involves examining the ancestral lines of the couple to ensure they are not from the same lineage

The pre-engagement ritual, Adan Pradan, is an important part of the Bengali wedding process. It involves the finalisation of the wedding date with the agreement of both families. A priest is present to accompany the finalisation of the date, which is decided according to the Hindu PANJIKA.

Adan Pradan is a private affair, with only the immediate families of the bride and groom in attendance. The couple usually opt for simple ethnic outfits, avoiding anything too plain or too fancy.

Once the date is decided, the families exchange gifts to mark the beginning of a new relationship. This is a symbolic gesture, showing their happiness and blessing the couple before the wedding.

The Bengali wedding process is a colourful and vibrant affair, with various rituals and traditions. It is seen as a union of two families, rather than just two people. Adan Pradan is the first of many rituals, with the families coming together to agree on the details and finalise the date.

Following Adan Pradan, the families will continue with other pre-wedding rituals, including the blessing ceremony, Ashirbaad, and the last meal as unmarried people, Aiburo-bhaat. The Bengali wedding process is a lengthy and detailed affair, with many steps to be taken before the wedding ceremony itself.

The actual wedding ceremony will include the Bor Boron, where the groom is welcomed, and the Subho Drishti, where the bride and groom see each other for the first time on the wedding day. The wedding is a joyous and colourful event, with many rituals and traditions that are unique to Bengali culture.

The engagement, or aashirwad, is when the couple confirms their marriage

The engagement, or aashirwad, is a crucial step in a Bangladeshi wedding, where the couple confirms their intention to marry. This ceremony takes place after the pre-engagement ritual, known as Adan Pradan, where a priest ensures that the bride and groom are not from the same lineage.

During the aashirwad, the families of the bride and groom exchange visits, bringing blessings and gifts, including rings and ornaments. The couple receives these blessings by touching the feet of their elders. This act symbolises the inclusion of the bride into the groom's family and is considered an important ritual.

In addition to the exchange of gifts, the aashirwad ceremony also involves the purohit or priest using a Bhagwan Narayan idol. This ritual confirms the couple's commitment to their upcoming marriage and is a solemn occasion filled with traditions and symbolism.

While the engagement ceremony in other cultures may involve the exchange of rings between the couple, the Bangladeshi aashirwad is distinct in that the couple does not exchange rings. Instead, they are blessed with gold jewellery, clothes, and sweets by their future in-laws.

The aashirwad is a significant step in the Bangladeshi wedding process, marking the point where the couple's marriage plans are finalised and confirmed, paving the way for the upcoming wedding festivities and rituals.

Gaye Holud is a pre-wedding ceremony for both the bride and groom, which involves beautification with turmeric

Gaye Holud is an important pre-wedding tradition at Bangladeshi weddings. The term translates to "turmeric on the body", and the ceremony involves the application of turmeric paste to the skin of the bride and groom. There are two separate ceremonies, one for the bride and one for the groom, and the families of the couple attend both. The ceremony is not considered a religious function and is celebrated by Muslims, Hindus, and Christians alike.

The ceremony is colourful and casual, with bright colours like yellow, orange, and green, as well as fresh flowers, used in the decor. The atmosphere is fun, with family and friends of the couple performing skits and choreographed dance routines to entertain the guests. There is also an abundance of food, including a variety of Bengal sweets, fruit displays, fruit carvings, and finger food.

During the ceremony, the bride and groom are seated, and the turmeric paste is applied to their faces, arms, and feet. Turmeric is known for its antimicrobial and soothing effects on the skin, and it gives the skin a distinctive yellow hue. The application of turmeric is believed to beautify the couple for their wedding day and ward off evil eyes. After the paste is applied, the couple is then fed a Bengali sweet to add sweetness to their married life.

The Gaye Holud ceremony is a joyful and vibrant celebration, bringing together family and friends to wish the couple well and celebrate the union of two families.

The wedding ceremony is held at a mandap and involves the chanting of mantras and the exchanging of garlands

Bangladeshi weddings are steeped in tradition and history, with a typical wedding lasting several days and including several ceremonies. The wedding ceremony, or Biye, is a colourful, vibrant affair, steeped in ritual.

The wedding ceremony is held at a mandap, a structure that serves as the centre of attention and decoration. It is often oval-shaped or a four-pillared cube, decorated according to the theme and colour scheme chosen by the couple. The mandap is the focal point of the ceremony and is where the couple exchange vows and express their love for each other.

The ceremony involves the chanting of mantras, with the priest asking the bride and groom to recite mantras that formalise Saat Paake Ghora and Kanya Sampradaan. These rituals symbolise the couple's commitment to each other and the union of their families. The couple then exchanges garlands, with the groom also adorning the bride's forehead with vermillion. The exchange of garlands is a sign of their love for each other and is accompanied by the chanting of mantras to bring good luck to the couple.

The exchanging of garlands is a significant part of the wedding ceremony and is often followed by other rituals such as lighting candles, tying holy threads, and offering prayers and gifts to one another's families. These rituals are passed down through generations and are a joyous celebration of the union of two families.

Bou Bhat is the bride's first meal at her in-laws' house, followed by a reception in the evening

Bou Bhat is a post-wedding ritual held one or two days after a Bengali wedding. The ceremony is hosted by the groom's father or family, and it is the first time the bride cooks for her new family. The traditional meal usually consists of rice, dal, vegetables, and fish. This ritual symbolises the bride becoming an accepted member of the groom's family.

On the morning of Bou Bhat, the groom gifts the bride with accessories, a sari, and other auspicious items on a silver plate. This signifies that the groom will take care of all the bride's needs from that day onwards. After receiving these items, the bride takes a blessing from her husband, and the rituals of Bou Bhat begin.

During the afternoon, the bride cooks and serves her in-laws a traditional meal. Only after she has served her in-laws can the bride sit down to eat. This will be the first time she eats food provided by her new family. The meal is followed by a reception in the evening, hosted by the groom's father, where all distant relatives and close ones from the groom's side are invited and introduced to the bride. The bride's family members, Konyajatri, also attend the reception with gifts of clothes, sweetmeats, jewellery, and other essentials for the bride and her in-laws.

A grand feast called Preetibhoj is then held. It is a gala dinner to introduce the bride to society and the whole family. In the past, the food was prepared by the family, and friends and neighbours would volunteer to distribute it on banana leaves. However, nowadays, catering services have taken over.

Frequently asked questions